Latest news with #Employees'ProvidentFundsandMiscellaneousProvisionsAct
Indian Express
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Sigachi factory blast: ‘It's a wake-up call,' Telangana HC says let law take its course, but ensure regulatory regime is strengthened
The Telangana High Court Thursday sought detailed affidavits from respective departments in three weeks regarding the explosion at Sigachi factory in Sangareddy district last month. The division bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G M Mohiuddin gave the direction while dealing with a public interest litigation (PIL) that sought a speedy investigation into the cause of the accident and the grant of compensation, among others, to the victims' kin. Forty-eight people died and eight people are missing since the Sigachi factory explosion. The bench stated that the affidavits should contain maximum details regarding the accident, steps taken so far, findings of committees, compensation paid so far, etc, while also stressing the need to mention the specific industrial and environmental laws that are applicable in the case. The petitioner contended that there have been no arrests in the case so far, compensation amounts have not been paid to the victims' kin, and that the investigation was not moving forward. The petition also sought that the case be transferred to a special investigation team (SIT) and that the reports furnished by the high-powered committees be released. The counsel for the petitioner pointed out that in a similar industrial accident in Andhra Pradesh on August 24, 2024, the state stood by the 16 deceased workers and made sure that the company paid Rs 1 crore compensation to their kin the very next day itself. After hearing the points raised by the petitioner's counsel, the Chief Justice observed that the court was more worried about the actions that need to be taken and, therefore, needed to know from the departments impleaded in the case what action was being taken in 'a tragedy of such a magnitude'. The counsel representing the state said the government appointed a six-member committee headed by the Chief Secretary on the same day of the accident. While the preliminary report was submitted, the state was awaiting the final inquiry report. The state government has also constituted an expert committee, whose findings are also awaited. The counsel added that 29 families of the deceased workers have been paid Rs 25 lakh each by the company, and the rest of the families were being paid the compensation amount today (Thursday). He also said that the state was giving Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 5 lakh to the injured. Asked by the Chief Justice (CJ) if anyone has been apprehended so far in the case, the counsel replied in the negative. Responding to another question from the CJ, the counsel said only 11 workers were covered under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, and the rest were covered under the Employees' Compensation Act. The CJ then wanted to know the relevant laws and if action had been initiated against those responsible under each of the laws or not. 'The experience is that, in such cases, when detected due to some unfortunate incidents, it comes to light that the factory is showing only 10-20 workers, which is the minimum requirement of taking a license or showing it to the ESIC or provident fund authorities. But, actually, they are engaging many more poor people who don't know their entitlements under different industrial laws. So, this is the larger issue required to be regulated by the agencies,' the CJ observed. He then said, 'It does not happen suddenly overnight. It is because of lapses at different levels in the (regulatory) regime that these incidents happen. So, the outlook when we entertain such PILs is not only to find out the real cause and ensure that the law takes its own course, but to ensure that the regulatory regime under the different laws are actually enforced in respect of other such industries/factories operating within the state, in particular. 'This is a wake-up call. The scale of which is quite huge. That day, we were seeing in the news that every hour the count was going up. I didn't know I would have to deal with the PIL here. The agony is of all of us. As officers of the court and also representing the respective departments or boards. it is the duty of all of us to ensure that not only is action taken as per law, but also the regulatory regime becomes more strengthened. Then only it will happen.' Rahul V Pisharody is an Assistant Editor with the Indian Express Online and has been reporting from Telangana on various issues since 2019. Besides a focused approach to big news developments, Rahul has a keen interest in stories about Hyderabad and its inhabitants and looks out for interesting features on the city's heritage, environment, history culture etc. His articles are straightforward and simple reads in sync with the context. Rahul started his career as a journalist in 2011 with The New Indian Express and worked in different roles at the Hyderabad bureau for over 8 years. As Deputy Metro Editor, he was in charge of the Hyderabad bureau of the newspaper and coordinated with the team of district correspondents, centres and internet desk for over three years. A native of Palakkad in Kerala, Rahul has a Master's degree in Communication (Print and New Media) from the University of Hyderabad and a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore. Long motorcycle rides and travel photography are among his other interests. ... Read More
The Hindu
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
EPFO attaches property to recover outstanding remittances in Coimbatore
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has announced the attachment of a property belonging to a private firm in Coimbatore to recover outstanding remittances, according to a release issued by the organisation. The firm had defaulted on remittances for the period between July 2021 and February 2023. Despite being given multiple opportunities, the employer failed to clear the dues. As part of the recovery proceedings, the property located in Anupperpalayam was attached by the Recovery Officer through Enforcement Officer R. Velu, the release stated. The property will be valued and put up for public auction. Proceeds from the sale will be used to recover the outstanding amount under the provisions of the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.
Mint
02-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
EPFOs scheme more beneficial for construction workers: Regional provident fund commissioner
New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) Retirement fund body EPFO's provident fund scheme under the EPF Act provides better protection to construction workers compared to the benefits available under the framework of building and other construction workers (BOCW), a regional provident fund commissioner has ruled, clarifying ambiguities between the two legislations. The clarification order by regional provident fund commissioner (RPFC), Kochi Uttam Prakash, which would have significant implications for labour welfare across India, came after the Kerala High Court issued a directive to resolve a long-standing conflict between two major national legislations governing the social security of construction workforce. While disposing of a writ petition filed by Veegaland Homes Pvt. Ltd., a real estate developer, the court directed the RPFC, Kochi, to determine which law provides more beneficial coverage for construction workers -- the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 (EPF Act) or the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Act, 1996. After evaluating the two welfare frameworks, the RPFC concluded that the EPF scheme provides superior protection for construction workers compared to the BOCW framework. The order outlined key advantages including lifetime pension coverage under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), substantial death and disability benefits via the Employees' Deposit-Linked Insurance Scheme (EDLI), portability of benefits across states and employers structured, long-term savings with higher returns and a technology driven access to services and grievance redressal. In contrast, BOCW welfare boards, despite collecting substantial welfare cess, have challenges of inefficiency, low coverage, and underutilisation of funds and poor access to registration by design, the RPFC order said. Workers frequently struggle to access even basic entitlements under this scheme, it noted. The petitioner in the Kerala High Court had argued that employers were being subjected to an unfair dual compliance burden under both central and state welfare regimes. While the EPF Act is administered nationally by the EPFO, the BOCW Act is enforced by state-level welfare boards, often with considerable variation in benefit delivery across states. As India continues to rely on its informal workforce to build its infrastructure and cities, the Kerala High Court-led resolution could serve as a cornerstone for a more inclusive, effective, and future-ready labour protection framework, opined an expert. By prioritising structured, portable, and enforceable benefits, the RPFC order reaffirms the constitutional promise of social justice and sets a powerful precedent for integrating the informal workforce into the mainstream of social security, the expert added. First Published: 2 May 2025, 04:03 PM IST
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
EPFO's scheme more beneficial for construction workers: Regional provident fund commissioner
Retirement fund body EPFO 's provident fund scheme under the EPF Act provides better protection to construction workers compared to the benefits available under the framework of building and other construction workers (BOCW), a regional provident fund commissioner has ruled, clarifying ambiguities between the two legislations. The clarification order by regional provident fund commissioner (RPFC), Kochi Uttam Prakash, which would have significant implications for labour welfare across India, came after the Kerala High Court issued a directive to resolve a long-standing conflict between two major national legislations governing the social security of construction workforce. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India's Rafale-M deal may turn up the heat on Pakistan China's support for Pakistan may be all talk, no action India brings grounded choppers back in action amid LoC tensions While disposing of a writ petition filed by Veegaland Homes Pvt. Ltd., a real estate developer, the court directed the RPFC, Kochi, to determine which law provides more beneficial coverage for construction workers -- the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 (EPF Act) or the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Act, 1996. After evaluating the two welfare frameworks, the RPFC concluded that the EPF scheme provides superior protection for construction workers compared to the BOCW framework. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Glicemia alta? Coloque isso na água antes de dormir e veja o que acontece no outro dia. Saúde Melhor Idade Leia mais Undo The order outlined key advantages including lifetime pension coverage under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), substantial death and disability benefits via the Employees' Deposit-Linked Insurance Scheme (EDLI), portability of benefits across states and employers structured, long-term savings with higher returns and a technology driven access to services and grievance redressal. In contrast, BOCW welfare boards, despite collecting substantial welfare cess, have challenges of inefficiency, low coverage, and underutilisation of funds and poor access to registration by design, the RPFC order said. Live Events Workers frequently struggle to access even basic entitlements under this scheme, it noted. The petitioner in the Kerala High Court had argued that employers were being subjected to an unfair dual compliance burden under both central and state welfare regimes. While the EPF Act is administered nationally by the EPFO, the BOCW Act is enforced by state-level welfare boards, often with considerable variation in benefit delivery across states. As India continues to rely on its informal workforce to build its infrastructure and cities, the Kerala High Court-led resolution could serve as a cornerstone for a more inclusive, effective, and future-ready labour protection framework, opined an expert. By prioritising structured, portable, and enforceable benefits, the RPFC order reaffirms the constitutional promise of social justice and sets a powerful precedent for integrating the informal workforce into the mainstream of social security, the expert added.
